“Tourism is a fundamental resource because it mobilizes important and qualified flows of people – states Carlo Battistini, president of the Romagna Chamber of Commerce – and becomes a real driver for improving the attractiveness of the entire territory, capable of creating an impact in terms of visibility and reputation also for other sectors of the economy”.
The Chamber of Commerce explains the importance of knowing how to anticipate the changes taking place and being able to seize the competitive advantages offered by innovation and new technologies. In 2023 the provinces of the Romagna area were characterized by a negative dynamic regarding the trend in the number of companies. However, the data on turnover in the tourism sector as a whole are positive, in a positive national scenario. The tourist movement has remained stable: the results in the Rimini area are better (increase in arrivals and presences) compared to those in the Forlivese area (slight increase in arrivals and decrease in presences), but for the latter it is also necessary to take into account the problems caused by flood. Overall, the Romagna area shows good performances. However, the difficulties in finding the necessary professional figures should be noted. As regards provincial accommodation and catering, there are 2683 active business locations in the sector, which constitute 7.6% of the total provincial businesses: 521 companies belong to accommodation and 2162 companies to catering.
Compared to 2022, there was a 1.4% decrease in active companies, with a decrease in restaurant activities (-2.4%) and an increase in accommodation activities (+3%), thanks to the non-hotel sector (+ 20%). 47.4% of the companies active in the sector are represented by the “restaurants and mobile catering activities” class, down by 2.3%, followed by “bars and other similar establishments without kitchens”, with 32.4% , down 2.9%; 14.5%, then, goes to “hotels and similar structures”, decreasing (-1.8%). Positive trend for arrivals (over 1 million), equal to +0.3%, but negative for attendance (over 5 million 500 thousand), with -0.8%. The experience started in Forlì a few years ago with the exhibitions at the San Domenico Museums is important, with a cultural project of quality, breadth and perspective. There are over 1 million 770 thousand visitors registered for the major exhibitions, of which approximately 1 million 180 thousand in the last 10 years and 79 thousand in the last year (March 2023-January 2024), which have produced positive effects for the local economy .
Gianni Bonali
